Week 10 Rundown

Week 10 Rundown

Welcome to the Week 10 Rundown! Join our discussion on Twitter @JoelMBeall and follow along with our weekly NFL picks. With an exciting slate of games on this weekend’s menu, let’s preview the NFL offerings for Week 10 action:

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY SportDerick E. Hingle

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills

Since taking over the starting reins, Kyle Orton is 3-1 with nine touchdowns against three picks. His arrival has also spurred the emergence of rookie wideout Sammy Watkins, racking up 393 yards in this span. Buffalo will need all the firepower it can get against a rejuvenated Kansas City club. Following a stumble out of the gate, the Chiefs have won five of their past six games, including commendable victories over New England and San Diego. This hot streak is largely attributed to the resistance, which is allowing the second-fewest points in the league. Prediction: Bills 17, Chiefs 14

Getty ImagesBrett Carlsen

Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions

The Dolphins have racked up an under-the-radar 5-3 mark, and Ryan Tannehill’s efficiency (six touchdowns, one pick in the past three games) has been a catalyst for the Fins. Alas, as good as Tannehill has been, it’s hard to envision that success continuing against a Detroit defense allowing a league-low 15.8 points per game. Throw in Lamar Miller’s iffy health status and Tannehill’s Motown visit could be a disaster. Prediction: Lions 23, Dolphins 20

Brad Barr

Dallas Cowboys at Jacksonville Jaguars

It doesn’t matter if Brandon Weeden, a banged-up Tony Romo or Quincy Carter is under center for the Cowboys. Facing a Jacksonville front seven conceding 123.4 rushing yards per contest, Dallas’ offense will be running early and often. The Jags haven’t been the pushover that their record suggests. Unfortunately, as long as Blake Bortles’ ball-security issues endure, Jacksonville will be fighting an uphill battle. Prediction: Cowboys 28, Jaguars 24

Jim Brown-USA TODAY SportsJim Brown

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

Reports of the Niners’ downfall are premature. NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith are close to return and the team’s second-half schedule is relatively manageable. Colin Kaepernick’s inconsistency can be maddening, yet his dual-threat dexterity still brings a lot to the table. The Saints have won three of their past four, and going into the Big Easy is a nightmare for opponents. Nevertheless, anticipate emerging star Mark Ingram to struggle against San Francisco’s tightfisted rush resistance, with Kaepernick going to town on New Orleans’ vulnerable secondary. Prediction: 49ers 30, Saints 20

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY SportsKyle Terada

Tennessee Titans at Baltimore Ravens

Despite their recent woes, the Ravens enter the second half of the season with a 5-4 mark. Moreover, all four defeats have come against teams with winning records. A Week 11 bye offers a welcomed respite, and Baltimore’s upcoming ventures would hardly be described as daunting, as the team leaves Maryland just three times. The secondary will be hurting with Jimmy Smith done for the season ... but Zach Mettenberger, on the road? Sorry, Tennessee. Prediction: Ravens 33, Titans 10

Jason Bridge-USA TODAY SportsJason Bridge

Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets

The Steelers are 2-2 on the road, and Big Ben’s aerial pageantry will likely end against a Gang Green squad ranked sixth in total defense. Don’t misconstrue this as endorsement for New York. After all, this is the Jets we’re talking about. Rather, simply a warning that this won’t be a walk in the park for Pittsburgh. Prediction: Steelers 20, Jets 14

Jason Bridge-USA TODAY SportsJason Bridge

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Why would the Bucs bench their supposed quarterback of the future for a 35-year-old journeyman in a lost season? My theory: Tampa wants to solidify a top-three draft standing, and Josh McCown gives them the best chance to accomplish this task. Or should we say fail. The Falcons are having a mess of a season themselves, but the Dirty Birds should roll in this one. Prediction: Falcons 34, Buccaneers 21

Chuck Cook

Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders

Derek Carr has progressed nicely through his rookie campaign, and the Denver defense has given up 16 touchdowns with only eight interceptions. That said, opposing arms have posted a 101.3 QB rating on the Raiders (fifth-highest in the league), and last I checked, the Broncos have a decent option at field general. This could be a bloodbath. Prediction: Broncos 42, Raiders 21

Getty ImagesJim McIsaac

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

Flaunting conquests against the Seahawks and 49ers, the Rams are not to be taken lightly. This is especially true in regards to the St. Louis secondary, one of the toughest units in the conference. Arizona’s own defense should carry the team to a victory in the desert, but Carson Palmer seems due for a bad outing, one that could submarine the Cards’ hopes. Prediction: Cardinals 21, Rams 20

Tim Heitman

New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks

The Hawks’ display would not be described as aesthetically pleasing, and I’m sure many expected a bigger score disparity against the winless Raiders. But a win’s a win, and Oakland has played other contenders like New England and Arizona close this year. Unless someone personally states their discontent, I’m not putting any value into reports of locker room discord. Besides, these issues allegedly existed last season, too. Didn’t seem to hamper the execution of that group. Prediction: Seahawks 24, Giants 13

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsKirby Lee

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

I keep hearing the Bears possess a dynamic, high-octane offense. You would think such a vaunted attack would do more damage to the scoreboard than 22.5 points per game (18th in the league). While they might have that capacity, I’m prone to clubs that put such potential into practice. Like, you know, the Packers. Prediction: Packers 30, Bears 23

APBob Leverone

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles

In their last three games, Carolina has scored 17, 9, and 10 points, and the team hasn’t won since Oct. 5. Yet, in the NFL, it’s hard to be consistently bad (please save your Jets jokes). Maybe it's intuition, but I think the Carolina offense awakens from its slumber. Prediction: Panthers 27, Eagles 21